CHESTER PA – The American Ideal mare Its Mesmerise N got a great trip in the pocket behind Bye Bye Felicia, then came outside in the lane and ran that one down by a neck in 1:52.1 while winning the $11,600 featured harness racing distaff pace at Harrah's Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon.
Driver Simon Allard kept Its Mesmerise N in the golden chair behind fractions of :27.4, :57.2, and 1:24.3, and when first-over favorite New Year could make no headway, the race came down to the front two. The New Zealand import had :54.3 back-half speed while recording her eleventh victory of the year and to go over $100,000 in career earnings for trainer Chris Ryder and Windemere Stables LLC.
In one of two $10,000 co-features, both for female pacers, the Rock N Roll Heaven mare Oceania made a sweeping move on the far turn, then continued it to the wire – a rare tactic at Philly – to post a $41.20 upset in 1:53.1 while bettering fellow closer Rockin The Boys A by 1¼ lengths. Corey Callahan guided the winner of $275,423 for trainer Robert Cleary and Deo Volente Farms LLC.
In the other sub-feature, the Changeover mare Darkrshadeofpale N followed favored Rose Run Victoria down the backstretch, tucked in the pocket as that one went to the lead at the three-quarters, then came up the inside to prove the conquistador by a half-length in 1:53. Anthony Napolitano, top pilot on the card with four wins, had the drive for trainer Noel Daley, with Windemere Stable LLC taking two of the afternoon's three features.
Its Mesmerise N
Oceania
Darkrshadeofpale N
Anthony Napolitano was back in the winners circle, along with Harrah's Director of Racing Joe Auger, in a ceremony honoring his brother George, who took the driving dash and UDR titles in 2020 and whose last day at the track this meet was Wednesday. George Napolitano Jr. put up a local seasonal scorecard of 1040-244-173-133-.370 in taking his eighth local win title (more than any other driver) and his fourth UDR crown.
Carryovers, free PPs Thursday at Harrah's Philadelphia
A pair of carryovers are sure to make a special Christmas Eve (Thursday, Dec. 24) program of harness racing at Harrah's Philadelphia all the more attractive to players across North America.
In conjunction with the United States Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Program, Harrah's Philadelphia will offer a $10,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-4, which begins in race seven. The guarantee was prompted by a carryover of $1,736.87 after favorites were shut out in Wednesday's (Dec. 23) sequence. The Pick-4 is a 50-cent base wager with a 15% takeout.
Two races earlier, the 20-cent Jackpot Hi-5 will afford bettors a $15,746.52 carryover in the fifth race. If not claimed by one unique winner on the Christmas Eve card, it will roll over into a mandatory payout on Sunday's (Dec. 27) season finale.
As the only harness racing venue in North America operating on Christmas Eve, Harrah's Philadelphia broadcasters Mike Bozich and James Witherite will offer expanded handicapping commentary throughout the course of the program. Witherite's full-card selections and analysis of select races is available via The Players' Guide.
Additionally, free TrackMaster past performances are available for the card, courtesy the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association.
Post time for the 14-race card is 12 noon.